The Helter Skelter Jig

By Andy Perry

Jig, 32 bars

4 Couple set dance

1-8 First couple lead down the middle and up.

7-16 First couple stand still in own places for two bars, set for two bars, then turn twice by the right in four bars WHILE twos, threes, and fours dance mirror reels of three on the sides, second and third man passing right shoulder, second and third woman passing left shoulder to start.  At the end of the reels, third couple loop to face down, second and fourth couples face up.  First couple begins to cast, ready for:

17-20 Mirrorwise half reels of four on the sides, ones and threes dancing out and down, twos and fours dancing in and up to begin.

21-24 Ones meet at bottom of dance, set to each other and turn once round by the right WHILE threes and twos face up and down, set to and turn neighbor, men by the left, women by the right.  All end turns ready for:

25-28 Mirrorwise half reels of four on the sides, threes and ones (in second and fourth positions) dancing out and up, fours and twos (in first and third positions) dancing in and down to begin.

29-32 Ones lead down the middle and cast into fourth place, all other couples stepping up on 31-32.

Inspired by the lyrics to "Helter Skelter:"

"When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide,

Where I stop, and I turn, and I go for a ride,

Then I get to the bottom, and I see you again."

Copyright  © 2006-2010 Andy Perry, all rights reserved